A day in the lives of the UPD officers at the University of Mississippi.

Courtesy of the UPD

One of the busiest departments on the Ole Miss Campus is the University Police Department (UPD). The UPD is dedicated to working with the University of Mississippi to ensure a safe environment on and off campus. One of their biggest concerns is the safety and security of all students, faculty, staff and visitors at Ole Miss.

The UPD officers are regularly seen on campus patrolling and they work 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, located in the heart of campus. There are five divisions which compose the University Police Department;– patrol, investigation, crime prevention, security staff and support. Their work is of great interest at the University.

What is a day like in the lives of the officers? What does their typical day consist of? Or is there such a thing as a typical day? Rachel Nolan has this story, click here.

Ashley Silcott: Warrior Mother

   Ashley Silcott has been told since the day she was born that she would never live to be twenty, or have children. This is because Ashley has Cystic Fibrosis, a deadly lung disease.
   The Reiserstown Maryland native is now twenty-four. She is also has a daughter, Preslee, and is planning her wedding to the man of her dreams, Tyler Brown.
   Last year, Silcott raised around twenty-seven thousand dollars for Cystic Fibrosis research. The non-profit is called Ashley's Army. You can donate to Ashley's army by clicking the link. To view this incredible story, click here. 

Effects of Cold Beer in Oxford, Mississippi

Beer for sale at Joe's Craft Beer in Oxford, Mississippi.

In 1972, Oxford, Mississippi passed an ordinance allowing the sale of beer which was previously forbidden after World War II. However, for 40 years, Oxford, Mississippi was unable to sell cold beer within it's city limits. For these four decades Ole Miss students as well as Oxford residents had to travel all the way to the county line to purchase cold beer.

In August of 2013 the Oxford Board of Alderman approved a cold beer and light wine sales law that took effect on September 20, 2013.

NewsWatch reporter Kendyl Noon has more on this story here.

The Parents of Former Ole Miss Football Player, Park Stevens, Continue to Cope with the Loss of Their Son

Photo courtesy of Dean and Gail Stevens

             It was a lifelong dream for Park Stevens to play football for an SEC team. His dream became a reality when he was offered an opportunity to walk on as an offensive lineman at The University of Mississippi. Stevens transferred to Ole Miss in January of 2013 after spending two seasons at East Central Community College.
          Stevens practiced with the team in spring drills and played in Ole Miss's spring game, the Grove Bowl, but unfortunately for Stevens, he never got to play in another game with the Rebels. On July 3, 2013, Stevens lost his life in automobile accident while traveling home from Oxford.
          It was Stevens' parents' worst nightmare. His parents have been coping with the loss of their youngest son with the help of the Ole Miss family and football team.  
        For more on this story click here.   
        

Excitement in Oxford for home closer against Missouri Tigers

Ole Miss Rebels welcome Missouri Tigers
Photo Courtesy of Vimeo.com

The Ole Miss Rebels and the Missouri Tigers faced off for the first time ever on November 23rd.  It is only Missouri's second season in the South Eastern Conference (SEC) and their first trip to Oxford.  Both Ole Miss and Missouri fans alike are excited about the game.  With a large number of Missouri natives attending Ole Miss and it being the last home game of the year, it is a highly anticipated weekend.  The game has some meaning to it also. Besides it being the first match up between the two teams, Missouri comes into the game ranked in the top ten and needing a win to extend their lead in the SEC East.  Ole Miss wants to play spoiler against the Tigers, and expand their bowl game prospects with an upset win.https://vimeo.com/80684076

Oxford, Mississippi's First United Methodist Church Hosts Community Thanksgiving Meal

     According to a study by Feeding America, Mississippi reports the highest level of “household food insecurity” in the nation, meaning many Mississippi families struggle to provide food for themselves. But, in Oxford, Miss., residents are striving to help those in need. For the fifth year, residents gathered at Oxford-University United Methodist Church for the Community Thanksgiving Meal, which aimed to feed those less fortunate. Fourteen of Oxford's churches provided food for the lunch, and Oxford’s More Than A Meal played a part in organizing the event and gathering volunteers. Meghan Berry, the event’s director, says community support was tremendous. During the lunch, volunteers created an environment of fellowship and thankfulness, and their service didn’t go unappreciated. NewsWatch reporter Miriam Cresswell has more on the day's festivities here.

First annual L.Q.C. Lamar House Art Day - Oxford, Mississippi

     The L.Q.C. Lamar House teamed up with the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, Chick-fil-A and supporters of the L.Q.C. Lamar House for a free event for kids and parents on November 15th. The concept of the art day was getting people to see how history and art are linked together in Oxford while starting an annual event where the arts council does something art related with historic homes. Lamar was noted for his oratory speaking and writing and the art project for the first annual event was decorating postcards and writing letters.
     The idea was for visitors to be able to tour the exhibit for free and learn about Lamar's writing while making vintage post cards that they can mail off. With this event, the sponsors goal was to use the story of L.Q.C. Lamar to engage children and families to visit the home and do an art project related to his life while encouraging people to start visiting the home. For more on this story please click on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B4Fv7Yl1_4&feature=youtu.be

Photo courtesy of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council